FAQ: Why are some of the bands in the DNA Ladder fainter at the bottom of the gel?
We do not recommend casting gels exceeding 5mm in thickness, as the smaller DNA fragments might diffuse more easily and might be harder to stain efficiently in thicker gels. If using wide combs (10 mm), we recommend loading 15 µl (1.5 µg) of TriDye™ Ultra Low Range DNA Ladder per gel lane for efficient visualization of the smallest DNA fragments.
For optimal visualization of all the bands, we recommend exposing the gel to UV without any casting tray whenever possible. Even UV-transparent trays can obscure DNA fragments under UV exposure.